Sustainable Chemical Engineering MSc

Overview

Would you like to help tackle urgent challenges like climate change, pollution, and resource scarcity through sustainable design, green technologies, and cleaner production? Do you aspire to lead engineering innovation and create real-world impact through new sustainable approaches?

We designed this course for those with backgrounds in chemical engineering, chemistry, or related subjects. This programme combines advanced technical experience with practical skills in sustainable technologies.

You’ll build expertise in green chemistry, clean engineering, and circular economy principles. while gaining experience in major growth areas such as:

• bio-renewable chemicals
• catalysis
• carbon capture
• hydrogen and fuel cells
• process intensification
• renewable energy
• industrial electrification

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

During this course, you’ll develop expertise in:

• core concepts of sustainable chemical engineering, including life cycle assessment and sustainability frameworks
• design of sustainable industrial processes and systems, including green chemistry and clean engineering technologies
• the drive to net zero and its implications for industry
• the role of chemical engineers in society, including professional and ethical responsibilities

You’ll have the option to choose elective courses across key themes, including:

• Net Zero Technologies
• Circular Economy
• Sustainable Materials
• Renewable Energy
• Environmental Management

You’ll also learn about:

• communicating complex engineering topics to technical and non-technical audiences
• working effectively as an individual and in teams, including leading teams and evaluating team performance
• approaching independent learning with open-mindedness and critical enquiry
• continuing professional development throughout your career

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Sustainable Chemical Engineering MSc modules

Specialist routes

You'll discuss your optional module selection with the Degree Programme Director. They will advise on the following specialist routes:

• Sustainable Chemical Engineering
• Environmental Management
• Materials

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Chemical Engineering Dissertation	60
Sustainable Industry I: Assessment, Assurance and Strategy	20
Green Chemistry and Complementary Chemistry/Chem Eng Skills	20
Sustainable Industry II: Business and Environmental Management	20
Advanced Design Project in Sustainable Chemical Engineering	20

 

Optional Modules	Credits
Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage	20
Recycling Technologies and Sustainable Materials	20
Process Intensification and Catalysis	20
Big Data and AI for Sustainable Engineering	20
Light Activated Process Technologies: Photovoltaics and Photocatalytic Reactors	20
Environmental Technology for Advanced Treatment of Emissions and Effluents	20
Biorefining and Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage	20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Our degree programmes are shaped by the needs of industry and government policy. You'll benefit from our strong industrial engagement through:

• industry guest lectures
• site visits
• projects
• industrial project placements
• employment opportunities with added support from our Careers Service

We have a multidisciplinary approach to teaching. Our teaching methods typically consist of:

• lectures
• seminars
• practical lab sessions
• group work
• personal supervision

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Computer assessment
• Design or creative project
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral examination
• Oral presentation
• Poster
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Reflective log
• Research proposal
• Research paper
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Additional assessment information

If you prefer a more industrial orientated project, we have companies who can provide topics and the relevant data.

During this course, you’ll complete an individual research project and a written dissertation. This will be your opportunity to put your specialist skills, knowledge and understanding into practice. You’ll apply the theory you’ve learnt to a project of your choice.

Your research project will be on a specialism of your choice, and your dissertation will give you the opportunity to work with a variety of supervisors. Research themes can be aligned with the core or optional modules you’ve studied and with the specialisms of our research groups and/or industrial partners. Our research groups include:

• Advanced Materials and Electrochemical Engineering
• Materials, Concepts and Reaction Engineering
• Process Intensification

During your thesis, you’ll also have the chance to join the research teams. If you prefer a more industrial orientated project, we have companies who can provide topics and the relevant data, subject to industrial sponsorship availability.

Student support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• academic staff
• personal tutors and research supervisors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• peers

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

 

Our staff

Sharon Joyce

Position: Senior Lecturer

Areas of expertise:

• sustainable energy management
• renewable energy
• environmental auditing

Dr Anjali Jayakumar

Position: Lecturer

Areas of expertise:

• Sustainable materials for improving food-energy-water security
• Thermochemical conversion of biomass, specialising in pyrolysis
• Biochar production and applications
• Industrial and community-scale deployment of biochar for soil-water applications 

You may also learn with some of our many other Chemical Engineering staff.

Your development

You'll be taught by academics working on world-leading chemical engineering research, and have access to cutting-edge facilities.

You’ll build core skills in Advanced Chemical Engineering and Sustainability, including:

• solving engineering problems with sustainable solutions
• selecting and applying scientific principles, mathematical and computer-based methods for modelling and analysing
• analysis of systems, processes and components requiring engineering solutions
• researching and using scientific literature to develop concepts effectively
• assessing cost, safety, quality, reliability and environmental impact across a product or process life cycle
• evaluating design solutions against sustainability frameworks

You'll also develop essential professional skills, including communication, project management, and a mindset for lifelong learning.

Your future

Graduate destinations

We offer more than just a degree. Through our strong ties with industry and a thriving alumni network, you’ll gain:

• real-world insights from professionals and former graduates
• opportunities for collaboration and mentorship
• enhanced employability and career readiness

You’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge to lead sustainability efforts across a wide range of industries and sectors. Some career opportunities include:

• Process Engineer
• Green or Process Chemist
• Sustainability or Energy Manager
• Environmental Consultant or Officer
• Industrial or Academic Researcher
• Government Policy Advisor
• Resource Management Specialist

You’ll also be well-prepared to pursue PhD-level research and academic careers. Some recent graduate destinations include:

• Area Fuel Engineer at British Steel
• Life Cycle Assessment Consultant at Decerna
• Process Engineer at Pirelli
• Sustainability Consultant at Stroma
• Project Engineer at Biogen

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. 

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

The School of Engineering has a wide range of Chemical Engineering facilities for teaching and research.

You'll have access to some of these facilities, depending on your specialist stream and project topic:

• Bioprocessing Laboratory: Managed through the Biopharmaceutical Bioprocessing Technology Centre.
• Merz Court Analytical Suite: A wide range of analytical and materials characterisation techniques are available in this suite.
• Stu Brew: Europe's first student-run brewery, operating commercially. You'll be able to develop your practical and research skills in sustainable brewing processes.
• Advanced Chemical and Materials Analysis
• Analytical services: These services are available to staff and students at Newcastle University, other academic institutions, and the industry.
• Automated Control Laboratory: This space operates in parallel with the Pilot Plant space and is used for both teaching and research.

Stephenson Building

The Stephenson Building is a £110 million investment in world-class education, research and collaboration across Engineering. It’s a place for future engineers, researchers and designers to collaborate and tackle global challenges, together.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

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How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

 

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

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